STAP for circular forward looking array antennas

Future multifunction air- and spaceborne radar systems will have the capability of detecting slowly moving targets on the ground. This problem can basically be solved by space-time adaptive processing (STAP) techniques. Previous work has shown how the antenna array configuration can be optimized for optimum detection of slow targets. In practice there are, however, constraints on the antenna design which may originate from other radar functions. The effect of certain antenna configurations on the STAP performance is discussed. Furthermore, the effect of space-time clutter filtering on the antenna beampatterns is analysed. The results of this study will contribute to the trilateral AMSAR project.